Invite the Avalanche – part 3

Last month I began writing a series of blog posts called “Invite the Avalanche” which is based on a talk I gave at Faffcon. I suppose before I continue much further it might be helpful to mention how this “Invite the Avalanche” idea got started.

Almost a year ago my friend Cris Dukehart reached out for some help with a large audiobook project she was narrating that had a pretty tight deadline. She got in touch with me because our mutual friend Nancy Wolfson suggested that she ask me to put her in touch with my son Eric for some help with the audio editing the project involved. In the email Nancy sent to Cris about this she told Cris she needs to not be afraid to welcome work, that she should “invite the avalanche” and locate the people who could help support her in her efforts rather than consider turning away work.

When I read that note Nancy had written to Cris, something clicked in my head and my heart. I realized that this phrase “invite the avalanche” was exactly what I had been doing for several years now, I just never had a name for it. It was some weeks later that I was at Faffcon2 in Atlanta when I decided to speak publicly about these ideas. Then after leading a discussion about them again at Faffcon3 in Hershey, PA I decided it makes sense to prepare a series of blog posts on the subject.

So, having given that bit of background, here’s more of the substance of the subject. One of my guiding principles is “never do anything JUST for the money.” Yes, there is dignity in all work, but doing work only for the money you’ll make is no way to find true satisfaction and joy in your work. Money, in whatever quantity you want to specify, will never satisfy. Not in the long run. Instead, concentrate on making dreams come true. The better you get at helping other people realize their dreams, the better you’ll get at making your own dreams come true.

How do you do this? Instead of having “how much you’ll make” your primary focus, answer calls for help. There are people you all ready know who need someone like you to provide a voice for them, they just don’t know that it’s you they need. As you answer their call for help, you’ll run into more and more people who need your help. The more people you help, the more opportunities you’ll find. The relationships you build with the people you help will begin to accumulate over time.

As I’ve mentioned previously in this series, it’s going to take time; but it will happen as long as you keep moving forward.